Photoprotective effect, antiacne-causing bacterial activity and inhibitory effect against tyrosinase, elastase and hyaluronidase in extracts of Trang peppercorn (<i>Piper nigrum</i>)

Natural substances are highly appealing due to their minimal side effects and widespread use in today's world. Plants serve as a source of natural substances, offering a variety of substances suitable for product development in the cosmetic industry. The aim of the study was to test the effect of Trang peppercorns grown in Thailand to identify potent compounds for UV protection, acne-causing bacteria prevention, skin whitening, and anti-aging properties. Ethanol extracts of Trang peppercorn were investigated for their photoprotective effect, antiacne-causing bacterial activity, together with inhibitory effect against tyrosinase, elastase and cell viability of B16F10 melanoma cells after 72 h treatment. The samples exhibited an SPF greater than 4, with the sample indicating the most significant photoprotective effect. Trang pepercorn extracts showed that against antiacne-causing bacteria, <i>Propionibacterium acnes</i> and <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> RP are good sources of tyrosinase (IC<sub>50</sub> 98.63±4.11 µg/mL), elastase (42.32 % inhibition at 500 µg/mL), and hyaluronidase (53.14 % inhibition at 500 µg/mL). In the cytotoxicity test, there were IC<sub>50</sub> values of 81, 107, 258 and 143 µM, respectively. The total findings provide relevant information on Trang peppercorn, suggesting its potential usefulness as a material for the cosmetic industry.